Culturally Tailored Depression/Suicide Prevention in Latino Youth: Community Perspectives

Abstract

Latino adolescents are at elevated risk for depression and suicide compared to other ethnic groups. Project goals were to gain insight from community leaders about depression risk factors particular to Latino adolescents and generate innovative suggestions to improve cultural relevance of prevention interventions. This project utilized a CBPR approach to enhance cultural relevance, acceptability, and utility of the findings and subsequent program development. Two focus groups of youth and youth-involved Latino community leaders (n = 18) yielded three overarching themes crucial to a culturally tailored depression prevention intervention: (1) utilize a multipronged and sustainable intervention approach, (2) raise awareness about depression in culturally meaningful ways, and (3) promote Latino youth's social connection and cultural enrichment activities. Findings suggest that both adaptation of existing prevention programs and development of hybrid approaches may be necessary to reduce depression/suicide disparities for Latino youth. One such hybrid program informed by community stakeholders is described.

Life is Precious: A Community-Based Program to Reduce Suicidal Behavior in Latina Adolescents

“…Focus group participants indicated the need to find outlets to communicate their feelings. This is consistent with previous research showing that art therapy reduces trauma-related symptoms in adolescents (Lyshak-Stelzer, Singer, and Chemtob, 2007), and that creative engagement helps foster social connection in adolescent Latinas (Ford-Paz et al, 2015). Licensed art, music, and dance therapists use these media to help participants express their feelings.…”

Describing the evolution of mobile technology usage for Latino patients and comparing findings to national mHealth estimates

“…Building successful mHealth programs for Latinos requires that messages be accurate, relevant, and respectful of patients' cultural norms. 12,24,25 Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mHealth programs that are able to achieve this are more likely to be impactful than those that do not deliver messages in a culturally sensitive and language-specific manner. [26][27][28] Similarly, messages will need to take into consideration values and attitudes surrounding illness for this patient population.…”

Suicide among Hispanics in the United States

“…Suicide prevention programs in Spanish are also lacking, which is concerning given that about 34% of Hispanics do not speak English proficiently in the U.S. [47]. Importantly, Hispanic youth and community leaders have suggested that culturally tailored depression/suicide prevention interventions for Hispanic youth should: (1) utilize multiple strategies (e.g., public awareness/educational outreach, skill-building activities) that are sustainable, (2) seek to raise awareness about depression in culturally meaningful ways, and (3) promote social connection and cultural enrichment activities [48].…”